Potential destination for Dwight Howard: Houston Rockets

With five meetings in a 48-hour period, Dwight Howard will be given a lot to consider. There will be much to discuss, from offensive systems to marketing advantages, championship potential to star treatment. The suitors to win his services, beginning with the Rockets late Sunday to the Hawks and Warriors on Monday and Mavericks and Lakers on Tuesday, have plenty to offer.

Here’s a look at some of the factors he will have to consider about playing for the Rockets.

Strengths: With a talented, young roster, the Rockets are on the ascent enough that they would likely move to contender status if Howard moves to Houston. The city has long been a favorite of NBA players. Howard is already close friends with James Harden and Chandler Parsons, has worked with Hakeem Olajuwon and would fit extremely well with Kevin McHale’s coaching style. The Rockets’ enormous popularity in China would be a significant marketing advantage in that rapidly expanding basketball market.

Weaknesses: The Rockets have won one playoff series since 1997. They would need to shift from a roster full of prospects to add some playoff-tested veterans.

Money matters: By trading Thomas Robinson, the Rockets cleared enough cap space to offer a max contract of four years, $87 million. Without a state income tax in Texas, Howard would net more in four years of a contract in Texas than in the first four years of a larger contract in California.